Guwahati, January 28: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday criticised the Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge over his remarks on Mahakumbh and said that his statement is "unprecedented" and reflects a "deeply troubling mindset" against Sanatan Dharma.
Sharpening his attack, CM Sarma further questioned Kharge whether he would dare to say the same things for Hajj. He stated that Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi herself took a holy dip during the Kumbh in 2001.
Taking to X, Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote, "The statement by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on the Mahakumbh is unprecedented and reflects a deeply troubling mindset against Sanatan Dharma. I believe this is the official stance of the Congress party led by Rahul Gandhi. But let me ask him: back in 2001, Sonia Gandhi herself took a holy dip during the Kumbh. Will he also dare to say that going for Hajj will not resolve issues like hunger and poverty?"
https://x.com/himantabiswa/status/1884093324698767723
The Assam Chief Minister urged the Hindu leaders associated with Congress to "take a stand" and not to compromise with their faith and cultural heritage, adding that no leader, ideology or party should be placed above religion or beliefs.
"It's time for all Hindu leaders associated with Congress to reflect and take a stand. Do not compromise your faith, your dharma, or the rich cultural heritage of this nation for mere power and position. No leader, no ideology, and no party should be placed above your religion and beliefs. Sanatan Dharma has stood the test of time for millennia; do not allow its essence to be undermined for political expediency. Let your conscience guide you," the social media post reads.
Earlier today, Haryana Minister Anil Vij strongly criticized Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's recent remarks about the Kumbh, calling it an insult to the Hindu religion.
Vij stated, "Congress Party President Mallikarjun Kharge ji insulted the Hindu religion by taking a dig at those who organised the Kumbh."
He emphasized that religion is a matter of personal faith and people are free to follow rituals in their own way.
"Religion is a matter of faith, some pray towards the East and some pray towards the West. Our Constitution allows us to perform the rituals of our religion in our own way," Vij said.
He further demanded that Kharge apologize to the Hindu community, saying, "Kharge ji ko saarey Hindu Samaaj se kaan pakad kar maafi maangni chahiye."
BJP leader RP Singh responded to Kharge's remarks, stating that Kharge and Congress have developed a habit of mocking Sanatan practices.
BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal said that his statement would hurt the faith of crores of Hindus in the country.
The BJP's attack after Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday took a dig at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders who participated in the holy dip during the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
He questioned whether taking a dip in Ganga would "alleviate poverty," especially when "children are dying of hunger.". He also alleged that while on one hand PM Modi salutes the constitution, on the other "he does everything against it."
Congress was holding a massive 'Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan' rally at the birthplace of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar in Indore's Mhow on Monday in which prominent Congress leaders across the country participated. The Leader of the Opposition of Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, was also in attendance.
